Legendary Fern Maia Jackman makes a surprise return to NRFL competition

She’s an official FIFA legend, one of our greatest footballers and has been a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for a decade … and now she’s a late substitute for Western Springs in the Lotto NRFL Women’s Premier League.

Maia Jackman, who made her Football Ferns debut almost 30 years ago, was a surprise change off the bench as Springs beat newly-promoted Hibiscus Coast 5-0 in the season’s opening game, under the Friday night floodlights at Seddon Fields.

With nine minutes to go, Springs coach Ryan Faithfull brought on Jackman to help his side see out the remaining game time.

Her last appearance before a crowd was in December when she played alongside former All Whites Ryan Nelsen and Ivan Vicelich in a FIFA Legends match at the men’s World Cup in Qatar.

READ MORE: Kiwi football legends get to play at Qatar tournament after all >>>>

And her last game in a domestic women’s league fixture appears to have been for Lynn Avon United in 2018.

Last year, Jackman showed she still has the fitness and understanding of the game to match younger players when she turned out for the Friends of Football All Stars, in an exhibition game against Mt Albert Grammar School.

Main photo: Maia Jackman playing for the Friends of Football All Stars at Keith Hay Park last June.

READ MORE: Enthusiastic crowd enjoys exhibition game between our All Stars and MAGS >>>>

Result

Game played on Friday March 24, 2023

Lotto NRFL Women’s Premier League

Western Springs 5 (Sam Tawharu 2′, 87′, Sofia Garcia 7′, 52′, Lily Jervis 28′)
Hibiscus Coast 0

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